A Study On Worship

A Personal Study For Myself.

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN MATERIAL

MATERIAL STARTED Tuesday, May 24, 1988

MATERIAL TITLED "A STUDY ON WORSHIP"

Even with this definition as given, I may have to use a Bible definition or Greek dictionary to get the true meaning of the Bible.

In order to accomplish the objective of the study and give it full attention, the following lists and activities will be necessary.

1. List & define worship

2. List & define synonyms of worship = serve (Does worship also mean serve?)

3. List & define & describe acts or actions of worship

4. List & define & describe acceptable acts of worship

a. before Christ's birth

b. after Christ's death

c. during Christ's earthly life

5. List acts of worship with acceptable attitudes

6. List acts of worship with unacceptable attitudes

7. List unacceptable acts of worship with acceptable attitudes

8. List unacceptable acts of worship with unacceptable attitudes

9. List effect on worship by culture and/or effects on culture by worship

Worship activity and attitude have been desired by the God of Creation, requested by the God of Creation, and even demanded by the God of Creation. (A later area is intended to show His worthiness in receiving worship. It may be enough just to say that since God created us, we belong to him and should show him the respect and honor that is due him because of this.) God Himself wrote in the first written, God-given "religious law found in Exodus 20:2-6 that mankind was to have no other god besides the God of Creation. None except the God who had just led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Mankind was not to have any idol or image of anything that they could or would bow down to or worship. God Himself said the act of worshiping something else was worthy of the punishment of even the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. God said He was a jealous God in this respect.

The following list is selected reference verses that deal with worship and who and what should or should not be worshiped.

• Ex. 20:2-6 Worship only the Lord your God.

• Deut. 5:7 Have no other gods before me. (Lord of Creation)

• Deut. 6:13-15 The Lord your God is jealous. Don't have other gods.

• Matt. 4:9-10 The devil said, “All this I will give you if you will bow down to me and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ’worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’.”

• Luke 4:8 (Matt. 4:9-10)

• Acts 10:26 Peter & man are not to be worshiped.

• Acts 14:13-15 Paul and Barnabus are not to be worshiped.

• Col.2:18 Angles are not to be worshiped.

• Rev. 19:10 Angels are not to be worshiped but God only.

• Rev. 22:8 No angle is to be worshiped.

In the area of who or what should be worshiped, it is pointed out that the same Jesus is quoted in Matt. 4:10 said, “Away from me, Satan!” For it is written: ‘worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' Jesus was worshiped himself by different people at various times. The first record is near the time of his birth. In Matt. 2.2, we find the Magi asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”. When the Magi were told where he was to be born, this is recorded of their meeting in Matt. 2:10-11. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary; and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Jesus was not only worshiped as a child but also as an adult. He did not prevent people from doing it, nor did he even discourage people from doing it. Bowing down was worship, and giving gifts was serving him. (Or are both necessary for worship to take place?)

A list of verses as representative of people giving worship to Jesus follows.

• Matt. 9:18 A certain ruler came and worshiped him.

• Matt. 14:33 They that were on the ship came and worshiped him.

• Matt.15:22 A Canaanite woman came and worshiped him.

• Matt. 20:20. The mother of Zebedee's children came and worshiped.

• Matt. 28:9,17 Disciples worshiped.

• Mark 3:11 unclean spirit, worshiped Jesus.

• Mark 5:6 unclean spirit, worshiped Jesus.

• Mark 11:9-11 Crowd going into Jerusalem.

Matt. 21:9 John 12:13

• Luke 4:41 Devils (evil spirits) worship Jesus.

• Luke 5:8 Peter worships Jesus.

• Luke 23:42 Thief on the cross worships Jesus.

• Luke 24:52 Disciples, after resurrection, worship Jesus.

• John 5:23 Jesus is speaking and said, "All should honor the son.”

• John 9:38 the blind man that Jesus healed. worshiped Jesus.

• Acts 7:59 Stephen worshiped Jesus while Jesus was seen in heaven.

• I Cor. 1:2 Paul was addressing his letter to those who ’call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

• II Cor. 12:8 Paul pleaded 3 times to the Lord.

• Phil 2:10-11 “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

• Heb. 1:6: “Let all God's angels worship him (Jesus)”.

• II Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

• Rev. 5:8-14 Every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea singing (worship) to the one on the throne and to the Lamb (Jesus).

• Rev. 7:10 A great multitude (uncountable) from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping God and the Lamb.

It is evident from these verses that the same Jesus who said to “worship the Lord your God and serve him only” allowed himself to be worshiped. He indeed deserved to be worshiped by being himself God.

With regards to the worship of Jesus and the Father, I bring to mind John 14:6, in which Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The verse now says to me that the worship we give to God is the worship we, in fact, give to Jesus. If we don't Worship Jesus, we don't worship God. We cannot just worship God without worshiping Jesus and going through Jesus to get to God the Father.

Jesus is our mediator, and his work of mediation is demonstrated throughout the scriptures. Naves Topical Bible, published by Associated Publishers and Authors, Inc., Bryan Center, Michigan, on page 693, lists some 41 passages dealing with the mediation of Jesus. In these, I (as of now) see it clear to give my worship to Jesus, and he, in turn, will be my mediator and give my worship or take my worship to God the Father. I want to do this to praise God for his Son, my Savior.

I want to turn my attention to the acts, attitudes, and expressions of worship offered to Jesus. The Bible references partially quoted will give evidence and validity to my personal thoughts and comments.

Matt.2:2-11 Magi came to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. A search was involved in this worship. “We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” “Go and make careful search for the child.”

Joy was involved in the anticipation of worship as well as the actual worship. “And when they saw the star they were overjoyed.”

The action of the body was to bow, while the action of the heart or mind was to worship. “They bowed down and worshiped him”. Generous and joyous giving of gifts was a result of this worship or a part of worship. “Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

In this worship, a humble yet joyous attitude existed, along with a combination of reverence and excitement.

In this, I see Jesus, “who has been born king of the Jews,” as still deserving worship, my worship. Though I am not a Jew by birth, I am still a child of God by adoption so I can hail him as King Jesus and bow to him as my King. I can also joyously anticipate my worship of him and come to him in humble reverence full of great excitement. I can also give him my treasures.

Matt. 9:18-26 “A certain ruler came and knelt before him and said, My daughter has just died! But come and put your hand on her, and she will live”.

The word worship is not seen in these verses, but the action of worship is indicated. There is the coming to Jesus and the kneeling before him. In this act of worship, we see Jesus not being worshiped as the King of the Jews but as the creator of life and the sustainer of life. This person knew who Jesus was, recognized his power, and believed in him. He had a need that could not be filled by anyone else but Jesus. Therefore, the ruler came to him, worshiping him in reverence by kneeling. He makes his request, believing that Jesus could do and would do what he requested.

Matt. 14:22-33 In this passage, Jesus walks on the water. Verse 33 says, “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him saying, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God'.” As I read this passage, two thoughts occurred to me. I will relate both of them to you and comment on each of them. The first thought was that there were two ideas pictured in this verse. One was that the disciples had worshiped Jesus and then, as a result of the worship, made a statement or comment in each other’s hearing that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

My second thought was that the statement made by the disciples in the boat, “Truly you are the Son of God,” was, in fact their act of worship. Now let me discuss these two ways of thinking about this verse and the discussion of worship.

The first way of thinking of the verse merely puts the statement ‘Truly, you are the Son of God' as a separate or consequential statement to their worship of Jesus.

I think my second thought is more accurate. The disciples had been rowing all night but got nowhere. They had seen Jesus, who, at first, they thought was a ghost, walk on the water. They had seen Peter walk on the water to Jesus only to become afraid and begin to sink. Peter, though, was saved by Jesus’ own hand. And when Peter and Jesus climbed into the boat, the wind died down. This is the moment that those in the boat worshiped Jesus, saying, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’ In this action or time of worship, I can see the disciples kneeling down, bowing down, and being thankful to Jesus for saving Peter but probably more thankful for the calmness of the wind. I really think and feel that the words that were spoken were the most important part of the whole worship given to Jesus. The words were in recognition of who Jesus really was, and worship cannot take place until there is greater esteem and value placed on the object of worship. The disciples had not placed this great worth and value on Jesus yet. This is seen and related to a parallel passage of the same incident. Let's look at Mark 6:45-52. In verse 50, the disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water. In verse 51, they were completely amazed by the time Jesus climbed into the boat and the wind died down. In verses 51-52, it says, ‘They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened'. This act of worship came from a final realization of who Jesus was. They had not recognized Jesus as one who was necessary to them. They had not recognized Jesus as the creator, Lord and Master, or the Son of God. At this moment, this realization came to them, and they responded by worshiping Jesus by saying, admitting, and confessing - ‘Truly, you are the Son of God'. This statement was their worship. Their bodies may have been kneeling or bowing, but to have this be worship, their hearts had to be confessing that their Jesus was truly someone special. He was, in fact, the Son of God.

Many of the other people who had been following Jesus and searching him out for help and healing already knew that Jesus was the Son of God, but the disciples were slow in learning or recognizing this fact. In verse 52, at the time of the feeding of the 5,000, it said that they had not understood about the loaves because their hearts were hardened. It took a lot to open their eyes and heart. At this time, they were under a lot of pressure, both physical and mental. This pressure came from being in the boat for such a long time, rowing, trying to save themselves from the wind and water. They were terrified at the sight of Jesus and thought they had seen a ghost. They felt that they might be the next people to die in that storm. Then Jesus revealed himself. He calmed the winds, causing an amazement to come over them. This combination of situations and events led the disciples to know that Jesus was truly the Son of God. They had experienced a great need. They had become terrorized. They were amazed by Jesus filling their need and became true believers in Jesus being the Son of God. This evoked their automatic, spontaneous worship by their saying and confessing, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God'’

Matt. 15:21-28 (Mark 7:24-30)

This passage is about the Canaanite woman. This woman had a ‘daughter who was suffering terribly from demon possession.’ A Canaanite woman would be a descendant of those people the children of Israel hadn't completely driven out of the Promised Land or killed during the years of conquest in Joshua's time. She had evidently heard enough about Jesus that she approached him and called him “Lord, Son of David.” Jesus said she had great faith. She came to Jesus crying out to him a request for something impossible. She continued her plea and knelt before him. She felt that what she was asking for was like crumbs that fell from the table. She believed that Jesus was able to give her what she asked for, and she was persistent in believing that he would give it to her. She was asking for what amounted to a miracle. This could only come from God. She believed in him as “Lord, Son of David”. Her approach with a request and reverent attitude, shown by her crying and kneeling before him, shows worship. She was worshiping Jesus. This worship came about because of a deep belief in who Jesus was. It was based on what she had heard about Jesus and him being able to heal people.

I now believe and understand that a deeper, more reverent worship can come when there is a need, a great need, and a belief, a great faith, that Jesus can and will provide for that need. That combination of need and faith will provoke worship, awe, and reverence for the one who is not only able to supply but willing to supply that need.

She could worship Jesus because he alone could and would supply her needs. I can worship Jesus because he alone is the true supplier and giver of all I need. Praise belongs to Jesus.

Matt. 20:20

“Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and kneeling down, asked a favor of him.” This verse has an act of respect and reverence or worship along with a request. The act is coming to Jesus and kneeling down, showing the respect and belief that Jesus could grant her request. The request dealt with a concept that may have only been partially understood. She wanted her two sons to sit on his right side and left side when he came into his kingdom. She evidently took Jesus to be the King of the Jews but probably did not know the kingdom was a heavenly kingdom, a spiritual kingdom. Anyway, she took Jesus as someone special; possibly the son of God, at least someone who would have a kingdom and this would make him be a king. So we see her respecting, revering, and worshiping the kingship of Jesus.

He is King. He does deserve worship and praise. He is now ruling in his Kingdom, and as the King, we should ask of him the desires of our heart as he would be the one who could grant our desires. So our worship of him should be in partial response to our needs and acknowledging him as being able to supply all our needs. Praise be to King Jesus, who grants up our desires in loving kindness, knowing what is best for us.

Praise you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus!

WORSHIP SECTION 2

Matt. 28:9

After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (see v. 7) were at the tomb and had been told by the angels that Jesus had been raised. They were afraid yet filled with joy. (v.8) Jesus met them as they were going to tell the disciples. They came to Jesus and evidently bowed to him because they “clasped his feet and worshiped him” (v. 9). This respect and reverence is a continuation of their special care for Jesus. Also, see

Matt. 27:55, 61.--((DO A SPECIAL STUDY ON THE LADIES AND THEIR WORSHIP.))

They most likely had accepted him as the Son of God, but now, with his death and resurrection, their understanding was increasing. He was the Son of God. He deserved worship. This they planned on doing.

Matt. 28:17

This verse has a very particularly important relationship to worship and one's attitudes or beliefs. The verse says that when they saw Jesus, they worshiped him, but some doubted. I feel that those who doubted did not and could not worship Jesus.

The point I would make here is doubt in Jesus, as to who he is, his being, his existence, or anything like this only prevents any thought of worship because faith or belief in the being of the person or object to be worshiped is necessary in order for worship to take place.

Belief in and faith in Jesus is the utmost basic requirement before worship can take place. Without faith, it is impossible to be pleasing to God. We have to believe in something before we can worship it, so we have to believe in Jesus before we can worship Jesus.

The Four Gospels are extremely important as the basis for our worship of Jesus. They give us a special sight of Jesus so we have something definite, something concrete to believe in. This gives us a basis for our worship of Jesus. He is the King of the Jews.

He is the Creator of the universe. He is the Savior of mankind. He is Lord. He is everything to us. He is everything to me. Jesus is God who deserves worship. He is above all. All authority has been given to him. Praise you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior. In your NAME JESUS I give you thanks.

Mark 3:4

“Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ’You are the Son of God.'” This is an interesting verse. In contrast to previous verses where people who knew that Jesus was someone special and worshiped him by falling down before him, we have evil spirits doing the same. Jesus is the Son of God and deserves to be worshiped. He deserved to be worshiped by people and evil spirits. In the end, at the end of time, when the judgment takes place, all will fall down and worship God/Jesus. Everyone, everything good or evil, will worship Jesus. Some just did it at an earlier time because they could not help themselves. Even though they knew who Jesus was, he told them “not to tell who he was.”

This incident leads me to think that I should voluntarily worship and obey Jesus now. He is worthy of all my praise and devotion just because of who he is. This does not even take into account the fact that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins and took the punishment in place of me for my sin. If he hadn't ever done this, he still deserves all worship, praise, glory, and honor. He is God. Praise Jesus, but I thank you for my gift of forgiveness of sin and hope of Heaven. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Mark 5:6 (v. 1-20 Healing of Demon possessed man) (Legion, for we are many)

A man with an evil (unclean) spirit came to meet Jesus. He ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He recognized Jesus as having the authority and power to do whatever he wished. The evil Spirit shouted, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!” The evil spirit knew he was at the mercy of Jesus as Jesus had the power and authority to do whatever Jesus wished to the evil spirit. Here, the evil spirit made a request to Jesus. He fell before Jesus in a submissive and worshiping manner with the request. We also should come to Jesus, fall before him, and bring our requests before him as we worship him as the Lord.

Mar 11:9-11, Matt. 21:9-16, John 12:13 Triumphal Entry

In this spontaneous situation that developed as Jesus was about to go into Jerusalem, many people worshiped Jesus in praise by saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. They spread palm branches on the road in front of him. They spread their cloaks on the road for the colt he was riding on to walk on. The people made a rather loud noise with all the excitement and shouting that was going on. It was not a quiet worship time but a loud, spontaneous time of praise filled with excitement. One of the praises the people were shouting was, “Blesses is the coming kingdom of our Father David.” The people felt they were seeing Jesus ready to be crowned their King over David's kingdom, the promised one to sit on David's throne. They were excited about this. They were praising God about this. They were praising Jesus for being this person, the King. Praise God. He is King of the Jews and is sitting on his throne, reigning now in Heaven. May your will be done on earth even as it is done in Heaven. Amen.

Matt. 21:15-16

While Jesus was at the temple after he made his Triumphal Entry, children were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” They were worshiping Jesus with praise. The chief priests and teachers of the law were indignant and asked Jesus if he heard what the children were saying. Jesus just asked them if they had ever read a scripture from Psalms 8:2, which says, “From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise.” These children knew or believed enough to praise Jesus. Jesus is the “Son of David.”

He is worthy of praise. He is to be worshiped not only by children but also by adults. Praise belongs to Jesus. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is my Savior. PRAISE JESUS.

Luke 4:41

In this setting, Jesus was healing the sick. Moreover, demons were coming out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Christ or Messiah. Here, it seems, Jesus kept the demons from confessing who He was, not to keep them from worshiping him or praising him but to keep them from telling the people who he was. This was so the people might come to believe who he was from the miracles he was doing and from his own testimony and preaching. Jesus deserved to be praised, but he wanted people to see and hear him and then believe enough to praise him for what and who he was.

Jesus still gives life and sustains life. He is still the one to praise and thank, for he is the giver of all that is good. Praise you, Jesus, Son of David, the Christ of God the Father.

Praise you, Jesus. Be my helper today. In Jesus name, I ask. Amen.

Luke 5:8 (Two boatloads of fish.)

In this story of Simon Peter, James, and John, the striking act of worship by Peter is accompanied by some possibly very strange words. The words of Peter poured out as he fell before Jesus. He was astonished at the catch of fish they had taken. This catch was enough to fill both boats. (Peter and his partners James and John) Jesus had told them to go out into deeper water and let the nets down, so they began to go out into deeper water and let down the nets. Peter obeyed even though grudgingly as he said, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Peter's unusually and curiously strange words were, “Go away from me, Lord: I am a sinful man.” These words say a lot to me, even if Peter didn't mean all that I make them out to mean. To me, it shows that Peter had been around Jesus long enough to get to know him at least a little. I am going to guess that Peter had been at the Jordan River at the time Jesus was baptized by John. (Because of Acts 1:21-22) He also has heard Him teach and preach at different times. He had also, I am sure, seen some of the miracles Jesus had performed. In all of these times, it does not seem to me that Peter was too much affected by Jesus or his teachings. It does not seem that Peter has tried to change any of his habits. He seemed to see Jesus as a curious spectacle. He was someone to watch and wonder at but not necessarily worship.

At this particular moment in time, Peter was personally affected by the great catch of fish. He was astonished. At this moment, he gave to Jesus greater recognition than he might have seen in Jesus before. Peter saw Jesus as someone Holy and special. He called him more than Master (teacher). He called him Lord. Peter saw in Jesus something special because he had been personally affected by Jesus and his miraculous ways. Still, Peter said something really quite the opposite of what he needed, and yet, with the holiness of Jesus and the unworthiness of man, including me, it was proper. Peter said, “Go away from me, Lord.” These should very well be our words as we come to see Jesus in a special way and as we view ourselves in the light of Jesus’ teaching. Yes, Jesus is holy, and except for the dying of Jesus on the cross, we should feel no hope in being close to Jesus. Jesus’ death permits us to be close to him. We should say, “Go away from me.”

But now we can say, “I come to you.”

I worship you, I praise you, I thank you.

Yes, I am sinful, too, but I want to be close to Jesus. I need his closeness, his forgiveness, his love. Praise your name Jesus, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.

Luke 23:42 (Thief on the cross)

In verses 39 – 42, it says, “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God'. He said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But his man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom'.” In verse 43, Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise,”

In this story, we see no visible or physical sign of worship. There was no bowing down to, kneeling before, or running towards Jesus. The only sign of worship is verbal. What the man was saying shows his reverence and respect for Jesus and who he knew him to be. This man admitted to being a criminal and had accepted his deserved punishment out of his respect and reverence or fear of God. He felt his punishment was of God and from God and felt it was what he deserved. As this criminal turned his attention back to Jesus, he called Him by name and asked to be remembered when he came in his Kingdom. This verse says so much. This man understood as much or more than Jesus’ disciples did. He knew he was the King of the Jews. He knew he was to have a kingdom and that even dead people would be “alive” in it because a king would not rule over dead people but live people. This man believed in the resurrection and eternal life. In all of his thoughts of Jesus he only asked, prayed, for a small petition. He only asked to be remembered in his kingdom. This is pure devotion, pure respect, and a total yielding of himself to God's will (even accepting his due punishment). His attitude toward Jesus: his power, his authority, and his kingship. This was pure worship and reverence.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing yourself to the man and allowing all mankind to come to you. May my devotion and confidence in you grow! O God, my Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, my King. May I bow before you to receive from you your blessings. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Luke 24:52

This verse is a very exciting and meaningful verse. This is the first time it is recorded that anyone worshiped Jesus while he was not in their immediate presence. This is the manner in which it happened. Jesus had led the disciples out to the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Now, after Jesus is gone from their presence, they are putting everything together in their minds, and the thought comes to them that this Jesus who was just taken up into heaven deserves worship. This they did. It was probably a time filled with great admiration for his person, his power, and his promises. This person, Jesus, was the Christ, the Messiah, the one chosen and sent by God the Father to suffer and die as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus was to rise with power from the dead on the third day. There was the promise that forgiveness of sins was to be offered to all nations by preaching in his name. Yes, they knew that Jesus was the Lord. He was everything he said he was, so they worshiped him as their Lord, Savior, Master, King, and God. He was above all others. There was none like him. With great joy, they worshiped Jesus, knowing full well who he was. Amen. Praise you, Jesus.

John 5:23

“He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” The word ‘honor’ has to be applied toward the Son, Jesus, in the same way it is used to apply to God, the Father. This word is a word of respect: holding up the one honored as one of special merit. The one being held up or honored would have special, admirable qualities that deserved recognition. The one to be honored would be held in high esteem. This quality would come first and be observed, and then the worship, praise, and adoration would come next. The conclusion of the matter might be said like this: Before you can honor and worship God the Father, you have to honor and worship the Son, Jesus. This is easy to do with an open heart and eyes that see Jesus as who he really is: Our Savior, Emmanuel, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

May he be honored in my life and in all I do. In His Honorable and Holy Name, I pray. In His Name to God, I give thanks, Amen.

John 9:38 (John chapter 9)

In this story, a man who was born blind was healed by Jesus. Jesus had made some mud that he put on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus then told the man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. When the blind man washed, he could see. He was then telling his family and friends that the man they called Jesus had done it. Because the man, who had been blind, believed this Jesus to be a prophet and from God, the Pharisees put him out of the synagogue. They were going to do this to anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the

Christ (Messiah). When Jesus heard the man he had healed had been put out of the synagogue, he came to the man to talk to him. Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man wanted to know who he was so that he could believe in him. Jesus said he was speaking to him at that moment. Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

In this story, the man born blind believed that Jesus was a prophet and from God but had not connected this with the complete fact that He was also the “Son of Man”. This is a term used by Jesus in connection with the words and meaning of “Christ” (Messiah) and “the Son of God.” (See Matt. 26:63-64) When Jesus used the words altogether to describe himself (Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man), the chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin accused Jesus of blasphemy. To them, this meant taking the place of God, being in the person of God, or being God. The Sanhedrin said, “He is worthy of death” because he claimed to be God. So when the man knew who God (the Son of Man) was, he worshiped him.

Yes, Jesus is God and deserves our full worship. He is Lord. We need him to open our eyes to see him as the light of the world, the Great “Rabbi,” the “I AM.” Jesus is Lord! I praise him for who he is and how great he is. Amen, Amen.

Acts 7:54-60 Stoning of Stephen

As Stephen was preaching to the members of the Sanhedrin, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Stephen said, “I see the Son of Man”. Those who were against Stephen were even more enraged at this and dragged him out of the city to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen worshiped Jesus by praying to him. Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell on his knees, possibly in further worship or more reverent worship, in deeper distress and concern, and further cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

This short time of worship by Stephen was very direct and meaningful. He knew who Jesus was even before he even looked into heaven. Stephen had lived his short Christian life performing different signs and wonders, even as the apostles had done. When it came to the important things in Stephens' life, he wanted Jesus to receive his spirit. We also should want to be received into heaven. As Stephen continued to the end, he was still concerned for those who were sinning. His concern was for those who were killing him and not accepting his witness of Jesus, the Son of Man. His worship at this time was two short-sentence prayers directed to Jesus, whom he saw at the right hand of the Glory of God.

Things have not changed. God is still in heaven with Jesus at his right hand. Jesus still deserves our worship even before our time of death. Through this story, we might even expect to see Jesus at some time in a very deep emotional situation, causing us to have the needed strength to remain faithful to the end. But whether we see Jesus like this or not, he is still there, and our worship of Jesus should be with enough faith to know he is here. Through our faith, we should know he knows, he sees, and he cares for us. He, indeed, deserves our deepest dependency and love, our praise and thanksgiving. Praise the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I Cor. 1:2 “who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

In this greeting, Paul is addressing his letter not only to the church in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, but “together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” The phrase, “who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” is the phrase we are concerned about. The words “call on” have a continuous action sound. It is something done at various times. This “calling on” activity could include several different acts. The main act might be prayer. The Lord Jesus is called on to answer prayers. This is a form of worship or a time of worship.

Jesus is called upon to receive praise and thanksgiving. This, too, is worship. Jesus is called upon to receive an expression of joy. This, too, is worship.

The words of the phrase then have to deal with the acts of worship to the Lord Jesus Christ and the people who worship Him in any way, "calling Him" to receive their worship of him. He is to be highly worshiped. He is to be held up and highly praised. He is the Lord.

Praise belongs to you, Jesus. Thank you, Father. In Jesus' name and authority, Amen.

II Cor.12:8-10

This passage may not at first seem to come across as worship, but if compared to earlier passages where people had come directly to the presence of Jesus for help, we will see that this passage is worship. In verse eight, Paul came to the Lord (Jesus) three times and pleaded with Jesus to take away the “thorn in the flesh”. Paul was told in reply to this worshipful prayer, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul was worshiping in his prayer and by his requests. He also continued his worship in the negative answer he received by stating, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

Praise the Lord Jesus for all his answers, for he knows what is best for me. Praise you, Jesus, and may I look at Paul as an example and rejoice in my weaknesses that your power may rest on me. OH, Jesus, Thank you. You are so good.

In Your Name, Jesus, I pray. - Amen!

Phil.2:5-11

These verses tell plainly that Jesus is to be worshiped and why he is to be worshiped. In verse 6, we see what Jesus was really like before and after his earthly life. He was, in his very nature, God. He deserves worship! And even more so because he humbled himself and became obedient to death. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name so that every knee everywhere (in heaven, on earth, and under the earth) should bow at the name of Jesus. Also included in this worship, every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Oh, Jesus, these words are enough indeed to make one rejoice and be lifted up inside. Oh, Jesus, you are Lord. May I serve you, worship you, and obey you. Oh, Lord Jesus, may I bow before you in humility and wonder and just want to serve you and obey you. May your Spirit be leading and guiding me in all I do and say. Oh, God, you are so loving and kind, so good to me. Thank you for your care of me. In Your Name, I pray. Amen!

I Tim. 1:12

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord...” is the verse that has a very simple concept of worship that needs to be dealt with. In this verse, Paul gives thanks to the one responsible for the strength he had been given and the trust Jesus had shown in Paul by appointing him (Paul) to his service. It may seem like such a small thing, but to recognize the source of gifts and to show humility by stating it was not your own power, ability, or might is very important in the concept of worship. Credit is given to whom worship is due. Jesus is the giver, and as the giver, he is, of necessity, the one who should receive the thanksgiving, praise, and feeling of appreciation.

Thank you, Jesus, for your grace, faith, and love,

Verses 15-17 are also key verses we can use for our own learning. Paul says Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is the worst. Paul goes on to say that the reason mercy was shown to Paul was so that Jesus could show his patience as an example with Paul for others who would believe in him and have eternal life. And since I do believe and have given myself in obedience to Jesus, I have the hope of eternal life. I now should continue to use Paul's example of worship to and of Jesus. Verse 17 then says, and I repeat it myself as worship and adoration to Jesus. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen!”

Thanks for reading. Copy and use any part you can use. It may work best if you start to highlight from the bottom to the top when you want to copy.